An attempt to capture my travels - the diversity of the places I visit, the people I meet, touch & feel, sound & sense...
Often, this helps me, express the satisfactory experiences of life, & at times, the not so good experiences too

Monday

Within driving
distance from Maximum city, this is that unplanned break youv’e been looking
for, a week-end hideout on short notice. If you are a nature lover then
this adage for Kolad is true – Path to glory is always better than the
destination. Various ponds, a deep blue river, floating clouds in the vast
expanse of sky, beautiful Sahyadri range in the backdrop, fresh air to
breathe – and the best part? The less headcount! Mumbai, Pune residents prefer
Lonavala as their getaway, while Kolad is for those who want to beat the rush and
give people a miss.

This tiny village
in Mahad is picking up popularity for rafting and trekking. Beautifully situated
near the Sahyadri range, there are trek paths which are easy, not stony,
slippery, steep or tough. Kolad also has a gushing Kundalika river, known for
its fast flowing water, hence the ideal locale for river rafting right thru the
year. The reason behind its fast flowing is the releasing of water from nearest
dam. Another sport that seems to be high on everyones list is paragliding,
which we lazy people missed, for over sleeping in the morning! .

If religiously inclined, thr is
something there for you as well.

Given India’s
social fabric, most families owe allegiance to the presiding deity of the
particular village from where the family or ancestors originated. In
present times when many people have shifted to urban areas, it is difficult to
keep this bond alive on a day-to-day basis, so people visit the local temple.

Many
Indians make it a point to visit their native place at least once a year, most
likely the day when the deity’s annual utsav is held. The weekend we were
in Kolad, we witnessed a huge congregation of people going towards Tamhini for
the deity Vinzai devi’s blessings.

If
you aren’t as lucky as us to have a friend living in this village, fret not.
There are beautiful cottages and tents available on hire on the banks of the
river constructed to give the appearance of a home, where you can relax & camp;
enjoy the peace and quite.It is the perfect place
to stay for a group/ family to relax and unwind.

A
final tip: ensure
the spare wheel of your car is in working condition. Be prepared to be cut off
completely at times as the mobile network is iffy in these parts. Kolad is lush
green heavenly in the monsoons, so plan a visit in the rains.